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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiagnostic Ultrasound Procedures of the GenitaliaCPT cpt-76873-transrectal-prostate-ultrasound-brachytherapy-planning
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    CPT 76873: Transrectal Ultrasound for Prostate Brachytherapy Planning

    Medicare pays $124 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 76873 describes a transrectal ultrasound procedure performed by a provider to evaluate the size and shape of the prostate for the purpose of planning brachytherapy treatment; service type is diagnostic imaging for brachytherapy planning and the typical site of service is an outpatient imaging or procedure suite where prostate ultrasound guidance is performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Abortion Services, Prolonged Services for Labor Management, Prolonged Services for Labor Management.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 68-year-old male with biopsy-proven intermediate-risk prostate adenocarcinoma is scheduled for prostate brachytherapy. The radiation oncologist orders a transrectal ultrasound to measure prostate volume, contour gland margins, and assess seminal vesicle position to plan seed placement and dosimetry. In the radiology or radiation oncology outpatient procedure suite, the patient is placed in the left lateral decubitus position. After consent and local anesthesia (periprostatic nerve block), a transrectal ultrasound probe is inserted to obtain axial and sagittal images through the prostate. Measurements and images are recorded and transmitted to the brachytherapy planning system; this ultrasound mapping for treatment planning is reported with 76873. The actual brachytherapy planning and subsequent implantation are reported separately. Typical site of service is an outpatient hospital-based or free-standing radiation oncology clinic or ambulatory surgery center. Typical clinical workflow includes pre-procedure evaluation, informed consent, ultrasound imaging for treatment planning, image transfer to the treatment planning team, and scheduling of the implantation procedure.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    55870Interstitial radiation implants; simple (e.g., for prostate)Code for the brachytherapy implantation procedure that typically follows planning with 76873
    55875Placement of temporary brachytherapy sources into the prostateUsed for temporary seed or high-dose-rate source placement after ultrasound-based planning
    51798Injection procedure for prostate localization (e.g., fiducial marker placement)May be performed prior to or during planning to facilitate image-guided brachytherapy
    76830Ultrasound, transvaginal or transrectal (non-obstetric), real-time with image documentation; limitedAlternative ultrasound code for limited transrectal imaging when full planning study is not performed
    77261Radiation therapy planning, complexThe dosimetry and treatment planning process that uses images from 76873 to create the brachytherapy plan

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2084P0800X
    208D00000X
    363A00000X
    207L00000X
    208000000X
    2081P0301X
    207RS0012X
    225XH1200X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    25 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C61Malignant neoplasm of prostate
    C79.82Secondary malignant neoplasm of genital organs
    D07.5Carcinoma in situ of prostate
    D40.0Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of prostate
    E78.5Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
    I10Essential (primary) hypertension
    N40.0Benign prostatic hyperplasia without lower urinary tract symptoms
    N40.1Benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms
    N40.2Nodular prostate without lower urinary tract symptoms
    N40.3Nodular prostate with lower urinary tract symptoms

    Showing 1–10 of 25

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Obstetrics/Gynecology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Abortion ServicesNew Mexico Health Care Authority2027-01-01
    Prolonged Services for Labor ManagementPremera Bluecross2027-01-01
    Prolonged Services for Labor ManagementPremera Bluecross2027-01-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesPremera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesPremera Bluecross2026-10-01
    Maternal Serum Testing for Prediction of Adverse Obstetric OutcomesBlue Cross Blue Shield - Massachusetts2026-10-01
    Cervical Cancer ScreeningOscar Health2026-10-01
    Prenatal Testing for Fetal AneuploidyOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diagnosis of VaginitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Prenatal Screening (Nongenetic)Oscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-76870-SCROTAL-ULTRASOUND-TESTES-EVALUATION

    CPT 76870: Scrotal Ultrasound to Evaluate Testes

    CPT-76872-TRANSRECTAL-ULTRASOUND-PROSTATE-EVALUATION

    CPT 76872: Transrectal Ultrasound for Prostate and Rectal Evaluation

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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